🍂 NOVEMBER 2025🍂

🔔 5 Things You Need to Know Now

1. Consider Sending 1st Semester Grades
   Touch base with your school counselor about sending your first-quarter grades to your ED/EA/ROLLING schools. Some colleges require them, and strong early grades can give your application an extra boost at all colleges.

2. Congrats to Our Emblem College Counseling Students

   We are proud of our hard working students for submitting so many early applications! And big congratulations to our students who’ve already received acceptances to schools including Duquesne, Pitt, Alabama, Ole Miss, Montclair, St. Joe’s, Delaware, Penn State, and more!

3. Check Your Applicant Portals — Often!
   Once you apply, most colleges shift communication to their applicant portals…including admissions decisions. It’s not uncommon for students to have an acceptance letter sitting in their portal for weeks without realizing it! On the flip side, missing a document request or deadline can delay review. Set a reminder to check portals weekly (or more).

4. Regular Decision Deadlines are Close
   If you still have to complete applications for the regular decision deadline, don’t wait for the Holiday Break to complete them. You’ve likely completed 98% of the work - just finish it.
   (Also, be aware that we are closed from
   December 21 - January 2 for all but urgent matters.)

5. Schedule & Prep for Interviews (if requested/available)
   Some schools offer interviews with admissions or alumni in November and December. Slots fill fast, so sign up early and prep with a few practiced answers and thoughtful questions. (Contact us if you want to book an interview prep session.)

Follow Us on Instagram @emblemcollegecoach for our latest tips and email us at Coach@EmblemCollegeCounseling for questions and more information!

What are Glimpse Videos?

Some colleges including Wake Forest, Brown, and Vanderbilt are requesting an optional video as a supplement to student’s application. Using a platform called “Glimpse,” students record a 60-90 second unedited video to introduce themselves and discuss a topic or interest not highlighted in their application. Students and parents have A LOT of questions about this topic! So, we have answers. We’ve written 3 blogs on this topic - here are links to all of them.
Check them out here>
Glimpse Videos: What You Need to Know

Glimpse Videos: FAQs

Tips for Recording Glimpse Videos